Best Over-Ear Headphones

Over-ear headphones surround your ears and immerse you in sound. They are usually designed for audiophiles and include features such as active noise cancellation and control apps.

The Focal Bathys is a wireless device that comes with ANC, a mobile app to adjust the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio for wired listening through USB-C.

Sony WH-1000XM5

The WH1000XM5 headphones from Sony are the latest model in their noise cancellation line-up. They sport a new design, upgraded ANC, and many of the same features as their predecessors but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.

They're light for over-ear ANC headphones, with just 250g. They're extremely comfortable to wear, even if you're reading or listening to a book. The headband is soft, and has a friction rod design like the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.

The WH-1000XM5 features a distinctive sound signature designed to please people who listen to music for pleasure as and serious audiophiles. It is tuned with a slight focus in bass, however it's not harsh or overpowering. They have a wide and spacious soundstage that has excellent instrument separation that allows you to hear the subtleties in your music. The earcups have touch controls that are intuitive and responsive. Swipe up or down to change the volume. You can also swipe forward to listen to the next song or backwards to hear the prior track. The headphones can be connected to two devices simultaneously and will automatically stop playback whenever you remove them from your head, thanks to the built-in sensor. You can also activate ambient mode by placing your palm on the right earcup and allowing you to hear what's going on around you without taking off the headphones.

They can also be connected with your voice assistant. Bluetooth low-energy is also supported, audiophile as well as high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made of premium fabric and a USB-C cable to charge. The headphones work with Android and iOS smartphones, as well as computers running Windows or macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery capacity is superb. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on which was more than Sony's advertised 30 hour battery life.

The WH-1000XM5's mic performance on calls is exceptional, and there's no muffled or static-y sound in the background. The noise cancellation is top-quality, and they're a good option for public transport as well as the office.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major improvement over its predecessor, providing premium performance and features. It includes wireless streaming at 24 bits enhanced active noise cancellation, as well as clear voice call quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are custom-designed and angled in each earcup, give you a more complete and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy surroundings. A remote inline and microphone lets you control your calls and music using any compatible device.

The headphones have a sleek and refined look to the original PX7. They feature accent rings around the earcups, and a silver sheen on the headband. The memory foam earcups fit comfortably, but not too tightly on the cranium. The new design and shape was perfected over many months and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that doesn't force into my skull, which is a rotund one.

They weigh 2 ounces less (or 307g) and are a little smaller than the Sony WH1000XM5. The headphones are lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them up to make it easy to transport them in a protective case.

The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio as well as a fast video sync. The included 3.5mm cord connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice touch. It flashes green to show rapid charging, and solid blue tooth head phones to signal Bluetooth pairing.

The B&W App has the same features that the onboard buttons in the hardware offer - bass and treble adjustments, action button assignments wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes, etc. When you listen to music on your iPhone the app displays album cover and track titles. Popular extras such as music presets and soundscapes mode are not available, however.

Sennheiser HD 800 S

The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones made by Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet the highest expectations. Its technical construction is optimized to give the highest resolution in detail that covers all the spectrum of frequencies as well as dynamic range and stereo panorama. It also offers the most realistic sound you'll hear on a pair of open-back headphones.

The headphone has a 300 ohm impedance, which means a quality headphone sales amplifier is needed to drive it at desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to utilize a balanced connection, which will increase the output and enhance the quality of sound.

These headphones are designed for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mixture of leather and plastic padding. The design is simple and doesn't resemble an expensive pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the hands and are built to last. They come with a carrying pouch and an additional audio cable and an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.

The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces instruments and vocals with a natural sound, even although they are a bit less bass-y. This is because the open-back design creates a spacious and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble is very good, with minor drops and peaks. The treble region also has a linear quality which means you won't be able to deal with piercingsibilants or the upper bite of the drum snare.

Even with the absence of booming bass, they can still deliver impact and dynamism when required. These headphones are still great for those who enjoy rock music with a punchy bass, but may not sound as great as the other models on this list.

In the mids in the mids, these Sennheiser headphones are hard to beat. They are linear with an incline on the upper mids that won't be noticed by most listeners. They also have the ability to reproduce precise time gradations in vocals which is a major benefit.

The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are ideal for professionals and audiophiles. They are a top choice because of their excellent sound quality and comfortable fit. They're expensive however you're buying a pair of headphones that will last for years to come and perform at their best in any environment.

Anker Soundcore Life q20

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a good pair of headphones that will do the trick for anyone looking to kill some time or just wants an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. The headphones come with a simple bag that protects them when you put them in the bag. Their battery can last for several long-haul flights. The ANC is a great way to block out noisy passengers and engine rumbles, however their audio profile is a bit heavy and warm.

The Life Q20's controls are simple to use and are well-marked. On the left ear cup, you'll find buttons for music powering up and pairing the headphones and for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup, you'll find controls for playback of media. This includes a multi-function button that activates your phone's voice assistance and switches on Anker BassUp (more about this later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls hands-free with your phone.

Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide an immersive and rich listening experience due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that offer certified Hi-Res Audio. The headphones feature a treble range that reaches up to 40 kHz. Their active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a broad range of mid- and low-frequency sound.

Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is a disappointment. This means you will not be able to benefit of the higher codes' lower latency while playing on your computer.

The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are soft enough to be worn for extended periods of time without discomfort. The earcups are able to rotate so that they can adjust to the specific shape of your head so you can achieve a perfect fit. The included 3.5mm audio cable allows you to listen to music while charging the battery.